Sydney’s January heatwave isn’t just in the air—it’s in the streets, on the stages, and vibrating through the very soul of the city. The Sydney Festival has landed, stretching its multi-sensory magic across nearly a month (until January 26) with an audacious mix of theatre, music, and immersive experiences that flip the script on how we see our Harbour City.
Tonight, the jewel in the festival’s crown is shining at the Sydney Opera House: Rufus Wainwright. A legend in his own right, Wainwright brings a stripped-back solo performance of pop and folk’s finest moments, cherry-picked from his sprawling 11-album, three-decade career.
From collaborating with the likes of Elton John, David Byrne, and Miley Cyrus, to belting out “Over the Rainbow” at Carnegie Hall, writing operas, and penning musicals, the New York-born, Montreal-raised virtuoso has done it all.
Rufus Wainwright comes from music royalty—his DNA is practically soaked in melody. Son of the wryly brilliant folk legend Loudon Wainwright III and the late, great Canadian singer-composer Kate McGarrigle, Rufus was destined for the stage. His sister, Martha Wainwright, no stranger to the limelight herself, graced Sydney Recital Hall just last year with her own brand of raw, soul-baring artistry.
His latest triumph, Folkocracy, saw him embrace his folk heritage with Grammy-nominated finesse, teaming up with Chaka Khan, Brandi Carlile, and John Legend. At tonight’s performance, it’s just Rufus, the keys, and a deep dive into his technicolour soundscape—a perfect crescendo to Sydney Festival’s eclectic brilliance.
After he takes the stage, Wainwright confesses that he is feeling a bit anxious and nostalgic – his last gig at the iconic Sydney Opera House was way back in January 2005, as part of Came So Far for Beauty, a Leonard Cohen tribute curated by the Sydney Festival under Brett Sheehy’s artistic helm and produced by the legendary Hal Willner. The star-studded lineup was the stuff of musical dreams, featuring the likes of Nick Cave, Jarvis Cocker, Beth Orton, The Handsome Family, and Antony (now Anohni). Also in the line-up were Martha Wainwright, Kate & Anna McGarrigle—and Cohen’s backup singers Perla Batalla and Julie Christensen.
Fast forward nearly two decades, and tonight’s performance feels like a time machine powered by Wainwright’s sheer artistry. While the grand ensemble of Came So Far for Beauty may have been swapped for a more intimate solo affair, the magic remains intact. Wainwright’s voice, a weapon of raw emotion and theatrical precision, echoes through the Opera House with the same reverence and splendour that made 2005 unforgettable. Much like that legendary tribute night, tonight feels like the kind of show you’ll reminisce about for years to come.
